The MSW program at Columbia College is grounded in the belief that change is possible and that ethical and culturally responsive practice should be at the center of social work education, practice, and research. The MSW program offers students the opportunity to work with accomplished and passionate educators and practitioners to develop the skills necessary to address complex challenges experienced by individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities and create a thriving career in the pursuit of equity and justice.
Students engage in a robust core curriculum that lays the foundation for concentrations in advanced clinical social work practice or advanced organizational leadership and change.
Students who plan to enroll in this degree program are responsible for verifying that the program meets licensure requirements for the state in which they reside.
Specializations in the MSW program include: 1) Advanced Clinical Social Work Practice and 2) Organizational Leadership and Change. Students within the Advanced Clinical Social Work Practice specialization can choose to concentrate on military social work practice.
Students without an accredited undergraduate degree in social work are admitted to the Traditional option (66 credit hours), which can be completed in two years with full-time status. The Advanced Standing option (30 credit hours) is available to applicants who have graduated from an undergraduate CSWE-accredited program. The Advanced Standing option can be completed in one year with full-time status.
Traditional program requires two years of full-time coursework and practicum instruction. Students in the Traditional program must complete two distinct field placements. Traditional students can also choose to take the program part-time, which can be completed in four years. The expected course of study for full-time Advanced Standing students is one year of course-work and practicum instruction or two years for part-time Advanced Standing students. Students in the Advanced Standing program must complete one distinct field placement.
Program Learning Outcomes:
- Graduates will demonstrate ethical principles and professional social work behavior to guide professional practice.
- Graduates will apply critical thinking skills to inform and communicate professional judgments.
- Graduates will apply Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ADEI) concepts in practice.
- Graduates will demonstrate skills in practice-informed research and research-informed practice.
- Graduates will engage, assess, intervene, and evaluate practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
- Graduates will demonstrate skills in advancing human rights and social, racial, economic, and environmental justice.
Program CIP: 44.0701 - Social Work.
Program SOC: 21-1029 - Social Workers, All Other
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